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Sanchez says he 'absolutely' could return to Jets

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Sports Writer

Posted:
11/26/2013 09:32:50 AM PST

Updated:
11/26/2013 03:09:43 PM PST

Click photo to enlarge

New York Jets FL football quarterback Mark Sanchez is interviewed during a visit to the Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown as part of the team's Thanksgiving Day week celebration, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, in Morristown, N.J.

As unlikely as it may seem because of his hefty contract, the injured quarterback wants to return to the New York Jets. And, Sanchez joked, he could be back with a super-powered arm.

"The way things are coming along, it sounds like I'll be bionic," Sanchez said with a big smile Tuesday. "I don't want to say like 'Rookie of the Year,' but hopefully something like that, where I'll come back better."

Sanchez is out for the season after tearing the labrum in his right shoulder in the preseason and having surgery early last month. He spoke publicly Tuesday for the first time since his surgery before volunteering at a community soup kitchen at Church of the Redeemer in Morristown.

The quarterback has three years remaining on his contract, but his $13.1 million salary cap number for next season makes it unlikely the team would keep him at that amount. If it were up to Sanchez, though, he wouldn't go anywhere.

"That's all I'm thinking about, coming back next year, leading this team and playing well," he said. "I know I've heard a lot of stuff on the outside about me not being here and stuff like that. I don't know if that's necessarily the case in the building. Hopefully, not. Hopefully, I'm a Jet.

"That's where I am. That's where I want to be."

When asked if he truly sees a future in New York as the Jets' quarterback, Sanchez didn't hesitate.

"Absolutely," he said.

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"I mean, there's no doubt about that. It's been a dream come true to play here and I don't want to go anywhere else, that's for sure. I know I have (three) years left, and I don't ever want that to end. I love being a Jet and I plan on being here."

Sanchez has not spoken to the team about his future with the franchise, but it would make financial sense for the Jets to release him in March. That's when a $2 million roster bonus is due, and the move would save the Jets $8.3 million in cap space.

"We'll see what happens," he said.

Sanchez was injured in the Jets' third preseason game against the Giants when Marvin Austin slammed into his shoulder. Coach Rex Ryan was heavily criticized for putting Sanchez in the game in relief of rookie Geno Smith because it was widely assumed the veteran had likely won the quarterback competition—and was playing with mostly backups and third-stringers at the time of the injury.

While his doctors have been happy with his progress, Sanchez acknowledged it has been tough to be a spectator while bouncing between doctor visits in New Jersey, California and Florida.

"It's definitely different, something I don't wish on anybody," he said. "Not even on your worst enemy you don't wish this on. It's hard to be away. It's hard to not be in the locker room, be on the plane, be on the bus. Little things like that, you miss it so much.

"All the wins, even the tough times, the struggles, it makes you appreciate those times and how much you love being out on the field and how much you love playing."

In an ironic twist, the Jets could actually use Sanchez in a big way at this point. He looked mostly solid during the summer in Marty Mornhinweg's system before the injury.

"It's just tearing me up that I can't play for him," Sanchez said.

Smith is struggling mightily with one touchdown and 10 interceptions in his last six games, but the only other options are inexperienced backup Matt Simms and veteran David Garrard, who hasn't played a regular-season game since 2010.

Through it all, Sanchez focuses only on getting back on the field.

"This could be a blessing in disguise," he said. "A lot of people have told me that. It's hard to see that while you're going through it, but it does give you a different perspective."

NOTES: Sanchez created a stir on Twitter last week when a picture of him wearing his hair in corn rows surfaced. He said it was the result of losing a bet to a friend, and chose the corn rows—which he had for only a few days and were gone Tuesday—over shaving his head or dying his hair. "It was pretty bad," he said. "It was ugly." ... Jets owner Woody Johnson was nominated by the team for the NFL's Salute to Service Award, presented by the league and USAA for "commitment to honoring and supporting the military community." ... Backup LB Troy Davis was placed on season-ending injured reserve after sustaining a chest injury against the Ravens that kept him hospitalized overnight Sunday for observation.